The life and death of Cardinal Wolsey . ho knoweth best mytruth before all men, and hath had thereof best and longest ex-perience. Therefore, to conclude, it is not to be thought thatever I would go about or intend maliciously or traitorously totravail or wish any prejudice or damage to his royal person orimperial dignity; but, as I said, defend it with the shedding ofmy heart blood, and procure all men so to do, and it were butonly for the defence of mine own person and simple estate, thewhich mine enemies think I do so much esteem: having noneother refuge to flee to for defence or succour, i
The life and death of Cardinal Wolsey . ho knoweth best mytruth before all men, and hath had thereof best and longest ex-perience. Therefore, to conclude, it is not to be thought thatever I would go about or intend maliciously or traitorously totravail or wish any prejudice or damage to his royal person orimperial dignity; but, as I said, defend it with the shedding ofmy heart blood, and procure all men so to do, and it were butonly for the defence of mine own person and simple estate, thewhich mine enemies think I do so much esteem: having noneother refuge to flee to for defence or succour, in all adversity,but under the shadow of his Majestys wing. Alas ! my lord,I was in a good estate now, and in case of a quiet living, rightwell content therewith; but the enemy that never sleepeth,butstudieth and continually imagineth, both sleeping and wak-ing, my utter destruction, perceiving the contentation of mymind, doubted that their malicious and cruel dealings would atlength grow to their shame and rebuke, goeth about therefore. //// Cartiinal l^olfiie? 169 to prevent the same with shedding of my blood. But fromGod, that knoweththe secrets of their hearts and of all others,it cannot be hid, nor yet unrewarded, when he shall see oppor-tunity. For, my good lord, if you will show yourself so muchmy good friend as to require the kings majesty, by your let-ters, that my accusers may come before my face in his presence,and there that I may make answer, I doubt not but ye shall seeme acquit myself of all their malicious accusations, and utterlyconfound them; for they shall never be able to prove, by anydue probations, that ever I offended the king in will, thought,and deed. Therefore I desire you and most heartily requireyour good lordship, to be a mean for me, that I may answerunto my accusers before the kings majesty. The case is his;and if their accusations should be true, then should it touch noman but him most earnestly; wherefore it were most conven-ient that he should h
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